Active Base Hybrid Organosilica Materials based on Pyrrolidine Builder Units for Fine Chemicals Production

Abstract

AbstractThe catalytic activity of “pyrrolidine type” fragments included or anchored in the mesoporous silica supports or polymeric frameworks have been fully reported for enantioselective transformation. Nevertheless, low attention was focused on their catalytic abilities to perform base‐catalyzed reaction. Accordingly, hybrid materials including pyrrolidine fragments in the mesoporous silica supports were prepared following different synthesis methods, such as micellar and fluoride sol‐gel routes in absence of structural directing agents. Their great catalytic performance was explored for various base‐catalyzed reactions to the formation of C−C bond through Knoevenagel, Claisen‐Schmidt and Henry condensations under microwave irradiation. The benefits of microwave irradiation combined with suitable catalytic properties of pyrrolidine hybrid materials with strong base sites and high accessibility to active centers, allowed carrying out successfully base‐catalyzed condensation reactions for the production of fine chemicals. Moreover, the hybrid catalyst exhibited high selectivity and good stability over different catalytic cycles contributing to environmental sustainability.